The pancreatic factor in intestinal obstruction

Abstract

In a previous communication 1 some experiments on the pancreas in relation to intestinal obstruction were reported. This presentation includes a duplication of the work with additional data. Twenty-three dogs were used. The experiments were divided into five groups.

Group I: Duodenal occlusion, pancreatic occlusion, 2 number of dogs, 5.

Average duration of life, 76.6 hours. Observations: A mild toxæmia developed which did not stimulate the toxæmia of duodenal obstruction. Autopsy revealed a slight congestion of the duodenal and colon mucosa. Microscopic examination of the pancreas 3 showed a capillary congestion, nuclei indistinct and the ducts filled with secretion.

Note: An accidental traumatic pancreatitis and a partial devitalization of the oral duodenum was responsible for a severe toxæmia in two of these cases. These variables were not included in estimating the mean duration of life.

Group II: Duodenal occlusion, partial pancreatic resection (duct bearing portion), number of dogs, 3.

Average duration of life, 43.3 hours. Observations: The symptoms of duodenal obstruction were greatly accentuated owing to the associated pancreatitis. Autopsy revealed a congestion of the peritoneum, also a slight congestion of the duodenal and colon mucosa. Fat necrosis was present in each case. Microscopic examination of the pancreas showed a hæmorrhagic infiltration with cells in different degrees of auto-digestion.

Group III : Duodenal occlusion, pancreatic excision, number of dogs, 5.

Average duration of life, 70.3 hours. Observation: The severity of the toxaemia of duodenal obstruction is greatly diminished when the pancreas is excised. Autopsy revealed a slight congestion of the mucosa of the duodenum and terminal colon.

Note: A severe toxaemia occurred in two cases; the result of general peritonitis in the one and partial devitalization of the duodenum in the other. These variables were not included in estimating the mean duration of life.